Foldable bed with adjustable contour bed spring



July 22, 1969 R, GOODMAN 3,456,269

FOLDABLE BED WITH ADJUSTABLE CONTOUR BED SPRING Filed Oct. 16, 1967 5Sheets-Sheet 2 FIG? INVENTOR ROBERT GOODMAN ATTOR E) R. GOODMAN July 22,1969 FOLDABLE BED WITH ADJUSTABLE CONTOURBED SPRING Filed Oct. 16. 19673 Sheets-Sheet 3 m/vs/vron ROBERT GOODMAN er 2 g Z ATTORNEY UnitedStates Patent 3,456,269 FOLDABLE BED WITH ADJUSTABLE CONTOUR BED SPRINGRobert Goodman, 5325 Westminister Ave., Philadelphia, Pa. 19131 FiledOct. 16, 1967, Ser. No. 675,645 Int. Cl. A47c 17/86, 19/12 US. Cl. 66 9Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE The entire bed is foldable from anopen horizontal position, wherein the contour-type bed spring can beadjusted into a desired arrangement, to a closed vertical positionwherein the bed frame portions, together with the corresponding sectionsof the bed spring, are in substantially parallel adjacency to each otherand can be locked together to form a compact unit.

This invention relates to a foldable bed, and it particularly relates toa foldable bed which is provided with a variably adjustable contour-typebed spring frame.

Beds having contour-type springs which have separate sections that canbe selectively adjusted to vary the inclination of the head or footportion are being increasingly used, especially in hospitals and similarinstitutions. However, because of the complex linkages and othermechanisms required to provide this adjustability, these beds have,heretofore, been very bulky and difficult to move from one position orroom to another. They have also been diflicult to store, when not inuse, or to ship from one place toanother.

It is an object of the present invention to overcome the aforesaiddifficulties by providing a bed which has a contour spring fully capableof being selectively adjusted but which is, in addition, capable ofbeing easily and quickly folded into or unfolded from a compact positionadapted for easy movement or storage.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a bed of theaforesaid type which is simple in construction, inexpensive tomanufacture and yet sturdy and efficient.

Other objects and many of the attendant advantages of this inventionwill be readily appresiated as the same becomes better understood byreference to the following description when read in conjunction with theaccompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of a bed embodying the presentinvention, shown in its open, operative position.

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of the bed of FIG. 1 in foldedposition.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged, fragmentary, perspective view of the supportframe of the bed of FIGS. 1 and 2.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged, exploded perspective view showing the detachableconnection between portions of the piston actuating the head portion ofthe bed spring.

FIG. 5 is an enlarged, fragmentary, sectional view of one of theactuating mechanisms.

FIG. 6 is an enlarged, perspective view of the mechanism for changingthe angle of the foot section.

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Referring now in greater detail to the various figures of the drawingswherein similar reference characters refer to similar parts, there isshown a bed, generally designated 10, comprising a support frame,generally designated 12, an intermediate bed frame, generally designated14, and a bed spring, generally designated 16.

The support frame 12 comprises a pair of parallel horizontal angle bars18, one on each side of the bed (only one being shown in the drawings).Each bar 18 is provided with a leg 20 at oposite ends. Each leg 20 isprovided with a castor 22 at the bottom and also with a so-calledstair-climber 24. Each stair-climber 24 comprises a pair of sprockets 26(best shown in FIG. 3) over which is positioned an endless caterpillartreaded belt 28. The sprokets 26 are mounted on a support bar 30 whichis bolted or otherwise connected to the respective leg 20. Brace bars 32extend between the legs 20 and bar 18.

Rigidly connected to the upper face of each 18 is a vertical bracket 34having an offset upper portion 36. Attached to the upper end of eachoffset bracket portion 36 is a horizontal bar 38 having its outer endsextending horizontally from the bracket portion 36. The opposedhorizontal bars 38 form a horizontal frame portion. Pivoted to one ofthese outer ends, as at 40, is a 90 offset portion 42 of a frame bar 44.The two frame bars 44 (there being one on each side of the bed, althoughonly one is shown in the drawings) constitute the foot portion of thebed frame 14. The two oppositely disposed frame bars 44 are connected bycross-rods (not shown).

Pivoted to the opposite end of bar 38, as at 46, is a 90 offset portion48 of a frame bar 50. There are two frame bars 50, one on each side ofthe bed (although only one is shown), these bars being connected bycrossrods (not shown). The bars 50 constitute the head portion of theintermediate frame 14.

A leg 52 is pivoted at 54 to each bar 44. A link 56 is pivoted at oneend, as at 58, to the lower portion of each leg 52 and at the other end,the link is pivoted, as at 60, to the respective bar 18 of the supportframe 12. A similar leg 62 is pivoted at one end, as at 64, to each bar50, and at its lower portion, is pivotally connected, as at 66 to a link68. The link 68 is pivotally connected at its opposite end, as at 70, tothe corresponding bar 18 of the support frame 12.

At its free end, each bar 44 is provided with a bracket 72 which combineto support a foot board 74. Similarly, each bar 50 is provided with abracket 76 at its free end. Each bracket 76 includes a post 78 having aslidably adjustable collar 80 with a set screw '82 to hold it invertically adjusted positions at its free end, the post 78 is pivotallyconnected, as at 84, to a bar 86 supporting a head board 88. The collar80 is used to engage around the bar 86 when the head board 88 is invertical position (as in FIG. 1) to clamp it in that position andprevent inadvertent pivoting around pivot 84.

Positioned on the bar 44 are a pair of cylinders 90 and 92, each beingindividually pivotally connected between bracket ears 94. As best seenin FIG. 5, extending into cylinder 90 is a partially threaded shaft 96having a rotatable handle 98 at one end. The threaded portion of shaft96 is threadedly engaged with a tubular shaft 99 which extends out ofthe cylinder 92. The shaft 99 has a fork 100 at its outer end (as bestseen in FIG. 4), and this fork has a transverse pin 102 extendingbetween its tines. As is readily seen from the drawings, when the handle98 is rotated, it moves the tubular shaft 99 longitudinally. In general,this mechanism is substantially the same as that shown in US. Patent No.3,277,736.

The pin 102 is adapted to be releasably engaged by a hook 104 pivotallyconnected to the end of a link or shaft portion 106 which is, in turn,pivotally connected to one end of a crank 108. Any feasible type ofdetachable locking means may be used to hold the hook 104 engaged withthe fork 100. The locking means shown in FIG. 4 comprises alignedopenings 110 in the tines of the fork and a similar opening 112 in thehook 104. A nut 114 is attached to one ofthe tines and a bolt 116 isinsertable within the aligned holes and threadedly engageable with thenut 114. In order to keep the shaft 99 and link 106 connected even whenthe hook 104 is disengaged from the fork 100, a link 117 is pivoted, atone end, to the shaft 99 and, at the other end, to link 106.

The crank 108 includes a rigidly connected offset portion 118 and ispivoted on a fixed pivot pin 119. The crank portion 118 is provided, atits free end, with a roller 120 that is movable in a track 122 attachedto the underside of the head section 124 of the bed springs 16.

When the fork 100 is engaged with the hook 104, if the handle 98 isrotated in one direction, it will cause the shaft 99 and link 106 tomove to the right (as viewed in FIG. 1). This will cause the crank 108to rotate clockwise and act, through the crank portion 118, to move thehead section 124 around its pivotal connection with the bars 38, towardthe raised position indicated in dotted outline. Reverse rotation of thehandle 98 will, of course, cause the head section 124 to move backtoward the horizontal position.

The cylinder 92 is part of an identical mechanism as the cylinder 90 andis similarly actuated by handle 125. The shaft 126, identical to shaft99, is pivotally connected to a crank 128 pivoted on a fixed pivot pin129 and integral with an offset portion 130. The crank portion 130 ispivotally connected, at 131, to a link 132. The link is pivotallyconnected, at 133, to the intermediate foot section 134 which ispivotally connected to the bars 38.

The foot section 136 is pivotally connected at 138 to the intermediatefoot section 134, and, adjacent the free end of the foot section, ispivotally connected a link 140. This link 140 has a lateral lug 142 atits lower end which is adapted to be selectively engaged in any one of aplurality of notches 144 formed in a slot 146 provided in a plate 148fixed to the bar 44 (as best shown in FIG. 6). By means of thisconstruction, the angle of the foot section 136, when in the raisedposition, can be selectively varied merely by inserting the lug 142 in adesired notch 144. In order to slidably retain the lug in the slot 146 ametal arm 150 is riveted or otherwise secured at 152 to the link 140,and extends to a position overlying the lug 142, to which it is likewisesecured, as by welding or the like.

In operation, when the handle 125 is rotated in one direction, it willpull the shaft 126 to the right (as viewed in FIG. 1) and this, in turn,will cause the crank 128 to rotate clockwise. This will cause the link132 to rotate counterclockwise around the pivot 131 toward a positionwhere the link 132 is aligned with crank portion 130. This movementcauses the intermediate foot section 134 and foot section 136 to beraised toward the inclined positions shown in dotted outline.

When the bed is in the open position, as shown in FIG. 1, the handles 98and 125 are actuatable to raise and lower the foot and head sections ofthe bed spring in the manner described above. However, when it isdesired to move the bed to another room or floor or out of the building,or if it is desired to store the bed in a compact position, the bedspring 16 is brought to the full horizontal position (as shown in fullline in FIG. 1), set screws 82 are released, the collars 80 are pulleddown to release the bars 86, and the bars 86 are pivoted to the positionshown in FIG. 2. The bars 44 and the bars 50', forming the oppositeportions of the frame 14, are then pivoted around their respectivepivots 40 and 46 until they assume the vertical positions shown in FIG.2. As the bars 44 and 50 pivot, the links 56 and 68 assume a newposition and while doing so, they act to pivot the legs 52 and 62 into aclosed position, as shown in FIG. 2. With the bed in the folded positionof FIG. 2, a pair of locking bars 154 and 156, one pivoted to the bar 44and the other to the bar 50, are engaged at 158 (see FIG. 2) to hold thebed in folded position. This engagement may be by means of a pin andslot connection or any other standard type of connection.

If the folded bed is to be moved over a flat surface, it is rolled alongon the casters 22. But if it is necessary to pass over an obstruction orto go up or down a stairway, the folded bed is inclined so that itsweight is borne by the caterpillar treads 28. This permits easy handlingand moving of the folded bed.

It is to be understood that although manual actuating means, in the formof handles 98 and 125, are illustrated, electric motor, hydraulic,pneumatic or any other feasible drive means may be substituted withinthe scope of the present invention.

The invention claimed is:

1. A foldable bed comprising a support means, a bed frame and a bedspring, said bed frame having oppositelydisposed frame portions that arepivotally connected to said support means and are pivotally movable froman extended horizontal position wherein they are horizontally alignedwith each other to a folded vertical position in substantial parallelismto each other, said bed spring being supported by said support means andhaving a plurality of sections including a head section and a footsection, said sections being pivotally connected to each other, andbeing movable relative to each other while said bed frame remainsstationary actuating means on said bed frame, said actuating means beingoperatively connected to said bed spring sections to move said sectionsaround their respective pivots, and said bed spring being foldable intooppositely-disposed portions together with correspondingoppositely-disposed frame portions.

,2. The bed of claim 1 wherein said actuating means includes a shaftassembly having at least two shaft portions that are detachablyconnected to each other, one of said shaft portions being operativelyconnected to a drive means and the other of said shaft portions beingoperatively connected to a bed frame section.

3. The bed of claim 1 wherein one of said bed spring sections is a footsection, a link pivotally connected to said foot section and to said bedframe, and means for varying the pivotal attachment of said link to saidbed frame to vary the angular position of said foot section when it ismoved around its pivotal connection to its adjacent bed spring section.

4. A foldable bed comprising a support frame, a bed frame and amulti-section bed spring, each section of which is pivotally connectedto the sections adjacent thereto, said support frame including a supportframe portion, to opposite sides of which are pivotally connected offsetends of a pair of oppositely-disposed bed frame sections, said bed framesections being pivotally movable from an open position wherein they arelinearly aligned with each other to a closed position wherein they arein substantial parallelism with each other, said support frame portionalso constituting an intermediate section of said multi-section bedspring, two sections of said bed spring being pivotally connected tosaid support frame portion, one on each of two opposite sides thereof,an actuating means on said bed frame, connecting means operativelyconnecting said actuating means to said bed spring to pivot the sectionsof said bed spring relative to said bed frame while said bed frameremains stationary, around their respective individual pivotalconnections, to and from a linearly aligned position parallel with saidbed frame when said bed frame sections are linearly aligned, and saidbed spring being foldable around its pivotal connections with saidsupport frame portion into substantially parallel portionssimultaneously with the corresponding movement of said bed framesections.

5. The bed of claim 4 wherein said multi-section bed spring comprises ahead section pivotally connected to one side of said support frameportion, an intermediate foot section pivotally connected to theopposite side of said support frame portion, and a foot sectionpivotally connected to said intermediate foot section, said connectingmeans ocmprising linkage connected between said actuating means and saidhead section and intermediate foot section, said actuating means andlinkage being constructed and arranged to move said head section andintermediate foot section around their respective pivoted connectionswith the support frame portion individually, and brace means pivotallyconnecting said foot section to said bed frame, said brace means havingan adjustable pivotal connection with said bed frame to selectively varythe angular position of the foot section when said foot section is movedaway from its linearly aligned position.

6. The bed of claim 4 wherein said actuating means comprises twoseparate linearly movable shafts, one shaft being operatively connectedto the head section of the bed spring and the other shaft beingoperatively connected to the intermediate foot section, one of saidshafts comprising two shaft sections, one shaft section beingoperatively connected to a drive means and the other shaft section beingoperatively connected to the corresponding bed spring section, said twoshaft sections being releasably connectable when said bed frame sectionsare linearly aligned in the open position and being separable when saidbed frame sections are in substantial parallelism with each olhcr in theclosed position.

7. The bed of claim 4 wherein said support frame is provided with legs,roller means on said legs, and at least two legs being provided withclimbing means, said climbing means comprising a rotational endlesscaterpillar track.

8. The bed of claim 4 wherein said bed frame is provided with a headboard assembly at one end and a foot board assembly at the opposite end,at least one of said assemblies comprising a post having a bar pivotallyconnected thereto, said bar being pivotally movable from a position inalignment with said post to a position angular thereto, and lockingmeans for releasably locking said bar to said post when it is inalignment with said post.

9. The bed of claim 4 wherein each bed frame section is provided with atleast one leg pivotally connected thereto, and linkage connecting saidlegs to said support frame, said linkage being constructed and arrangedto move said legs to an open support position when said bed framesections are linearly aligned and to a collapsed position adjacent thecorresponding bed frame sections when said bed frame sections are insubstantial parallelism.

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